New York State Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2014 Induction Ceremony a KO

NYSBHOF CLASS OF 2014 (L-R) Seated - Mustafa Hamsho, Tracy Patterson, Billy Backus, Gene Moore, Howard Davis Jr and Juan LaPorte; Standing - Steve Farhood, Keven Kelley, Lou DiBella, Teddy Atlas and Gerry Cooney. (All photos by Peter Frutkoff))  NEW YORK CITY (April 1, 2014) - A sold-out crowd turned out this past Sunday night to honor  20 members of the Class of 2014 inducted into the third-year New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF), sponsored by Ring 8, at Russo's On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York. "This was our largest crowd we've ever had with more than 500 people," Ring 8 & NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy said.  "Everyone was so receptive, commenting about how much they enjoyed the ceremony, and there was a lot of emotion displayed. The whole point of starting the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame was to recognize New Yorkers in boxing and to honor them for their contributions.  New York has been the centerpiece of boxing for the past 50 years.  Some of our inductees may not have been international stars, but they helped make boxing what it is in New York. We wanted to do the right things and recognize the New York guys who made boxing was it is today." Living boxers inducted into the NYSBHOF were Tracy Harris (63-8-2, 43 KOs), the former WBC/IBF Super Featherweight Champion from New Paltz; former WBC/WBA Welterweight Champion Billy Backus (49-20-5, 23 KOs), of Canastota; former WBC Featherweight Champion Kevin Kelley, of Flushing, Queens; former WBC Featherweight Champion Juan LaPorte (40-17, 22 KOs), of Brooklyn; Huntington's World Heavyweight title challenger Gerry Cooney (28-3, 24 KOs), Brooklyn's two-time World Middleweight title challenger Mustafa Hamsho (44-5-2, 28 KOs) and Glen Cove's Howard Davis, Jr. (36-6-1, 14 KOs), a 1976 Olympic gold medalist as well as Outstanding Boxer, and a three-time World Lightweight title challenger. Posthumous participants inducted were two-time World Heavyweight Champion Patterson (55-8-1, 40 KOs), of Brooklyn, World Lightweight Champion Lou Ambers (91-8-7, 28 KOs), of Herkimer; three-time World Welterweight Champion Jack Britton (239-57-44), of Clinton; and World Featherweight Champion Terry McGovern (55-8-1, 40 KOs), of Brooklyn. Living non-boxers inducted were ESPN boxing commentator and trainer Teddy Atlas, of Staten Island; promoter Lou DiBella (DiBella Entertainment), of Brooklyn; boxing historian and Showtime analyst Steve Farhood, of Brooklyn; trainer and Sunnyside Gardens matchmaker Gene Moore, of Queens; and boxing writer/historian Angelo Prospero, of Rochester. Deceased non-boxers in the Class of 2014 are trainer/cutman Whitey Bimstein, of Manhattan's Lower East Side; legendary trainer Cus D'Amato (Bronx and Catskill), who launched the career of "Iron" Mike Tyson as well as Floyd Patterson and Jose Torres; trainer William Muldoon (Belfast/Caneadea and Westchester County), who was also the first Chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission; and manager Tom O'Rourke, of New York City.     (L-R) - NYSBHOF inductee Howard Davis, Jr. and presenter Steve Farhood  HOWARD DAVIS JR.: "I want to thank Bob Duffy for putting on such a great ceremony.  I want to dedicate my career to my father.  I dedicated my gold medal (Olympics) to my mother who died three days before my first fight.  A coach looked me straight in the eyes and said, what would your mother want you to do?  The last thing she said to me was I better bring back that gold.  I made a promise to my mother that I do it.  I felt the only way I wouldn't is if I died in the ring.  I was into music when I was young.  One day my father asked me if I wanted to go the movies with him.  He didn't say the name of the movie.  It was in 1971, 'AKA: Cassius Clay.' It moved me to teats and to get up at 4:30 to run the next morning.  I'd never run before.  My father trained my amateur team and a few became pros.  I fired him later in my career and I still regret that.  He (Howard David Sr.) was a great trainer.  I said was because he passed away three years ago due to complications from diabetes.  I also want to dedicate this to my children who didn't see me as much as could be because of my training.  And to my wife, Carla Davis, who been there through the good and the bad. It's wonderful being here.  I got to see some guys I hadn't seen in a long time like Tony Santana.  We fought in the 1970's Golden Gloves together but not against each other.  Tracy Patterson, Kevin Kelley and Gerry Cooney, who I go way back with."     (L-R) - NYSBHOF & Ring 8 president Bob Duffy, NYSBHOF inductee Tracy Patterson and presenter Brian Burke  TRACY PATTERSON:  "I want to thank everyone for supporting this big event. Without a doubt I had a tremendous role model (father Floyd Patterson).  Dad was my super hero.  We'd see him put on a suit and go down to the city and then he'd be at the gym later that night.  He was a very special man.  I can't thank him enough for what he did.  I want people to know he did real good things for me that I'll never forget.  I miss him very much."  (L-R) - Presenter Jack Hirsch and NYSBHOF inductee Juan LaPorte  JUAN LAPORTE:  "I finally got here, huh?  I want to thank these guys up here.  I wish the best to the Class of 2014.  This is my world, this is what I love.  A lot of guys forget where they came from.  I didn't and you guys will always be with me.  I miss a lot of Ring 8 guys, my trainer, Emile Griffith, who aren't here today with us but they will always have my back." (L-R) - NYSBHOF & Ring 8 president Bob Duffy and NYSBHOF inductee Teddy Atlas  TEDDY ATLAS:  "I have five tables of friends and family, some have come from Las Vegas and Florida, and I'm proud to have them here.  Boxers don't always get the same respect athletes in other sports do.  All they need are loyal fans and boxing fans are the best.  Cus (D'Amato) didn't believe in long visits home because you'd be away from the gym.  Nearly 40 years later in the fight game, I think I've done okay.  I want to thank my wife, Elaine, and my children Nicole and Teddy.  You can't win any fight without a good corner and my family has given me the best. There are some people here today who are part of my life and family."   (L-R) - Presenter Bobby Cassidy Sr., NYSBHOF inductee Gene Moore and presenter Bobby Cassidy Jr.  GENE MOORE:  "Who is Gene Moore?  Nobody knew but I'm here anyway. Boxing's a great game.  I used to go to fights with my father in the '40s.....1840s.  I've been doing this 40 years and it's been a great trip."   (L-R) - NYSBHOF inductee Mustafa Hamsho and presenter Steve Farhood  MUSTAFA HAMSHO:  "I want to thank everyone for this.  I saw two guys here I go back 35 years with, John Turner and Bobby Cassidy, Sr.  I'd also like to thank my family and friends for supporting me."   (L-R) - NYSBHOF inductee Steve Farhood and presenter Gordon Hall  STEVE FARHOOD:  "I'm a little emotional right now.  Any mentions of Nick Charles does that to me.  This honor is very special to me.  I'm a typical New Yorker and proud of it.  I've never been away from New York for more than two weeks.  This is special being inducted with friends like Teddy Atlas and Lou DiBella.  And with the exception of Billy Backus, I've covered all of these guys.  For 36 years it's been boxing all day, every day for me and I've never been bored.  I've been blessed." (L-R) - Presenter Bobby Cassidy Jr., NYSBHOF inductee Gerry Cooney and presenter Bobby Cassidy Sr. GERRY COONEY:  "It's great being up here today.  I've had a great life.  I see a lot of old guys who used to be fighters.  I had some great fights and I'll always be connected with Larry Holmes.  I'm blessed, especially coming from my background.  This is a miracle.  There I was one night fighting in Madison Square Garden for the heavyweight championship of the world.  What a life! I got to know fighters like (Willie) Pep, (Carmen) Basilio, (Jake) LaMotta, (Muhammad) Ali, (Kenny) Norton....  I was recently diagnosed with CRS.  Do you know what that is?  Can't remember s***.  I will forever be connected to you guys."   (L-R) - NYSBHOF inductee Lou DiBella and presenter Steve Farhood  LOU DIBELLA: "It's an honor sitting here on this dais with so many New York men I've known and each I can call a friend.  I'm proud to be part of New York boxing. We're part of a great sports that sometimes stumbles and forgets it's the king of sports with a lot of angels.  Kevin Kelley got me started at HBO.  He handed me a pencil with Flushing Flash' and said there were a lot of hungry fighters like him to put on better shows.  Guys like, him Tracy (Patterson), Arturo Gatti, and others.  Teddy (Atlas) told me to be true to yourself and, Teddy, I hope I've done that. I bought two tickets for this dinner for my parents; my father passed away and my mother's in the hospital with a broken hip.  I'm going to bring this (belt) to her."     (L-R) -- Presenter Vinnie Maddalone and NYSBHOF inductee Keven Kelley   KEVIN KELLEY:  "Without you guys, like Howard Davis and Juan LaPorte, I wouldn't be here.  I wouldn't have been in boxing.  I'd like to thank everyone."   (L-R) -- NYSBHOF inductee Billy Backus and presenter Don Majeski  BILLY BACKUS:  "In my older days I'm getting a little emotional.  When they (NYSBHOF) called, again, I got a little emotional on the phone.  Thank you all.  I appreciate being her with this class." Supporting the Class of 2014 were past NYSBHOF inductees such as Iran Barkley (2012), Mark Breland (2013), Jimmy Glenn (2012) and Harold Lederman (2013). Other dignitaries in attendance included boxers Vinnie Maddalone and Steve Bujaj, Showtime executive Gordon Hall and legendary trainer Al Certo. Each attending inductee received a custom-designed belt signifying his induction into the NYSBHOF.  Plaques honoring each class are on display at the New York State Athletic Commission and Waterfront Crabhouse.  Ring 8 also plans to build a monument in Long Island City with every NYSBHOF inductee's name inscribed. The 2014 inductees were selected by the NYSBHOF nominating committee members:  Jack Hirsch, Bobby Cassidy, Jr., Don Majeski, Henry Hascup, Ron McNair and Neil Terens. All boxers needed to be inactive for at least three years in order to be eligible for NYSBHOF induction, and all inductees must have resided in New York State for a significant portion of their boxing careers. (L-R) -- Master of Ceremonies Dave Diamante and NYSAC Chairperson Melvina Lathan  Go on line at www.Ring8ny.com for additional information about the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame. CLASS of 2012: Carmen Basilio, Mike McCallum, Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, "Sugar" Ray Robinson, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri, Harold Lederman, Steve Acunto, Jimmy Glenn, Gil Clancy, Ray Arcel, Nat Fleischer, Bill Gallo and referee Arthur Mercante, Sr. CLASS of 2013: Jack Dempsey, Johnny Dundee, Sandy Saddler, Maxie Rosenbloom, Joey Archer, Iran Barkley, Mark Breland, Bobby Cassidy, Doug Jones, Junior Jones, James "Buddy" McGirt, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Bob Arum,  Shelly Finkel, Tony Graziano,  Larry Merchant, Teddy Brenner, Mike Jacobs, Tex Rickard, and Don Dunphy.   About Ring 8: Formed in 1954 by an ex-prizefighter, Jack Grebelsky, Ring 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association - hence, RING 8 - and today the organization's motto still remains: Boxers Helping Boxers. RING 8 is fully committed to supporting less fortunate people in the boxing community who may require assistance in terms of paying rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need. Go on line to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with more than 350 members. Annual membership dues is only $30.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, the third Tuesday of every month, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership.

Sunday's New York State Boxing Hall of Fame Induction dinner Sold-Out

NEW YORK (March 24, 2013) - This Sunday's third annual New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) induction and awards dinner, sponsored by Ring 8, is officially a sold-out event. NYSBHOF and Ring 8 president Bob Duffy reports that 450 people will attend the festivities this Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET) at Russo's On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York. NYSBHOF Class of 2014 Boxers WBC/IBF Super Featherweight Champion Tracy Harris Patterson                                 New Paltz WBC/WBA Welterweight Champion Billy Backus                                                         Canastota WBC Featherweight Champion Kevin Kelley                                                    Flushing, Queens WBC Featherweight Champion Juan LaPorte                                                                Brooklyn World Heavyweight title challenger Gerry Cooney                                                        Huntington Two-time World Middleweight title challenger Mustafa Hamsho                                       Brooklyn 1976 Olympic gold medalist Howard Davis, Jr.                                                            Glen Cove Deceased Two-time World Heavyweight Champion Floyd Patterson                                                Brooklyn World Lightweight Champion Lou Ambers                                                                     Herkimer Three-time World Welterweight Champion Jack Britton                                                     Clinton World Featherweight Champion Terry McGovern                                                           Brooklyn Non-Participants ESPN boxing commentator and trainer Teddy Atlas                                                 Staten Island Promoter Lou DiBella (DiBella Entertainment)                                                               Brooklyn Boxing historian and Showtime analyst Steve Farhood                                                  Brooklyn Trainer and Sunnyside Gardens matchmaker Gene Moore                                               Queens Boxing writer/historian Angelo Prospero                                                                     Rochester Deceased Trainer/cutman Whitey Bimstein                                                     Manhattan's Lower East Side Trainer Cus D'Amato                                                                                         Bronx & Catskill Trainer & 1st Chairman NYSAC William Muldoon               Belfast/Caneadea-Westchester County Manager Tom O'Rourke                                                                                       New York City All living 2014 inductees have confirmed their attendance, including those below who commented about being honored. Howard Davis Jr.:  "I feel privileged to be inducted in my home state of New York. Being inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame is a great honor and I'm proud to be standing next some of the great names in boxing." Teddy Atlas:  "For seven years, starting as a 19 year old, I spent seven days a week in an upstate gym training fighters with the only reward being the seemingly exaggerated yet energizing words of an old man saying, 'You will train world champions someday and be in the Hall of Fame.'  He just never said it would be together.  Congratulations, Cus, and thanks for the help.....and the words." Steve Farhood:  "Being inducted into the NYS Boxing Hall of Fame is special to me because I take great pride in being a New Yorker.  Dare I say that for better or worse, I'm about as New York as anyone can be. "I'm also thrilled that among my fellow inductees are fighters I covered, such as Gerry Cooney and Mustafa Hamsho, and longtime friends, such as Teddy Atlas and Lou DiBella. "I was born in Brooklyn, and I've lived in Manhattan since the age of 12.  I've been based in New York City for all 35 of my years in the boxing media, and be sure that I'm not planning to move any time soon." Bill Backus:  "I am so happy to be chosen as an inductee to be put in the NYSBHOF. I was born and raised in the state of New York and 44 of my 75 fights were in New York." Gerry Cooney:  "This is an honor and a pleasure.  I've met so many great people through boxing.  Boxing kept me off the streets and kept me ion the straight and narrow.  I'm grateful for all the places and people I've met through boxing.  All of the pieces fell together." NYSBHOF plaques are on display at the New York State Athletic Commission and Waterfront Crabhouse.  Ring 8 also plans to build a monument in Long Island City with every NYSBHOF inductee's name inscribed. The 2014 inductees were selected by the NYSBHOF nominating committee members:  Jack Hirsch, Bobby Cassidy, Jr., Don Majeski, Henry Hascup, Ron McNair and Neil Terens. In order to be eligible for NYSBHOF induction, all boxers needed to have been inactive for at least three years, and all inductees must have resided in New York State for a significant portion of their boxing careers. Go on line at www.Ring8ny.com for additional information about the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame. CLASS of 2012: Carmen Basilio, Mike McCallum, Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, "Sugar" Ray Robinson, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri, Harold Lederman, Steve Acunto, Jimmy Glenn, Gil Clancy, Ray Arcel, Nat Fleischer, Bill Gallo and referee Arthur Mercante, Sr. CLASS of 2013: Jack Dempsey, Johnny Dundee, Sandy Saddler, Maxie Rosenbloom, Joey Archer, Iran Barkley, Mark Breland, Bobby Cassidy, Doug Jones, Junior Jones, James "Buddy" McGirt, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Bob Arum,  Shelly Finkel, Tony Graziano,  Larry Merchant, Teddy Brenner, Mike Jacobs, Tex Rickard, and Don Dunphy.

About Ring 8: Formed in 1954 by an ex-prizefighter, Jack Grebelsky, Ring 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association - hence, RING 8 - and today the organization's motto still remains: Boxers Helping Boxers. RING 8 is fully committed to supporting less fortunate people in the boxing community who may require assistance in terms of paying rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need. Go on line to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with more than 350 members. Annual membership dues is only $30.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, the third Tuesday of every month, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership.

FORMER WORLD TITLE CHALLENGER MONTE BARRETT STEPS UP TO FACE UNBEATEN LUIS ORTIZ IN "NIGHT OF THE HEAVYWEIGHTS" MAIN EVENT ON THURSDAY, APRIL 3 FROM FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO & LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 1 AND FOX DEPORTES

PLUS! FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER GERRY COONEY

TO MEET FANS ON FIGHT NIGHT

INDIO, CALIF. (Mar. 21) - The April 3 FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes tripleheader is now complete, as former heavyweight world title challenger Monte "Two Gunz" Barrett returns to the ring to face unbeaten Cuban contender Luis "The Real King Kong" Ortiz in the main event of the highly anticipated "Night of the Heavyweights" Golden Boy Live! event at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif.

In previously announced televised heavyweight bouts, Vallejo, California's Gerald "El Gallo Negro" Washington risks his perfect professional record in the 10-round co-main event against Houston' Skipp "Strictly Business" Scott and 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic "Trouble" Breazeale goes for 10 straight wins when he takes on veteran standout Nagy Aguilera.

Plus, unbeaten rising star Diego "The Golden Kid" De La Hoya will appear in a six-round junior featherweight bout and exciting prospects Santiago "El Lobito" Guevara, Neeco "The Rooster" Macias, Michael Hunter and Stephan Shaw will also be seeing action on this stacked card.

Fight fans in attendance at Fantasy Springs are in for a special treat as former heavyweight contender Gerry "Gentleman" Cooney will be on hand as a special VIP guest to meet and greet those at the event.  One of the hardest punchers in heavyweight history, Cooney is best remembered for his knockout wins over Ken Norton, Ron Lyle and Jimmy Young, as well as his epic 1982 challenge for Larry Holmes' title.

Currently ranked number two in the world by the WBA, 34-year-old southpaw Luis "The Real King Kong" Ortiz (20-0, 17 KOs) graduated from the legendary Cuban amateur boxing program with nearly 350 wins and numerous titles.  When he turned professional in his adopted home state of Florida in 2010, he set his sights on gold of a different sort; a heavyweight world championship.  Thus far, Ortiz has been unstoppable with five-of-his-last-six wins coming by way of knockout, making it clear that he will take out anyone in the way of his pursuit of a title.

Equipped with top-level heavyweight experience few can match on the current landscape, Queens, New York's Monte Barrett (35-10-2, 20 KOs) has been in the ring with the best of the best over the course of his career, including Wladimir Klitschko, Tim Witherspoon, Hasim Rahman, David Haye and David Tua.  Eager to get back in the heavyweight race, Barrett has specialized in spoiling the rise of the highly-touted, handing Dominick Guinn, Owen Beck, Eric Kirkland and Tye Fields crushing losses.  He hopes to add Ortiz to that list on April 3.

An elite level prospect that has made an impression in each of his fights to date, Mexicali's Diego "The Golden Kid" De La Hoya (3-0, 3 KOs) has shown remarkable skills and power in his knockout wins over Luis Cosme, Abraham Rubio and Sergio Najera. On April 3, the 19-year-old will meet an opponent to be named in a six-round junior featherweight bout.

One of the newest members of the Golden Boy Promotions team, Mexico-born junior lightweightSantiago "El Lobito" Guevara (6-0, 3 KOs) is a talented fighter with a bright future in the fight game. Scheduled for a six round bout on April 3, the Los Angeles resident is ready to impress fans at Fantasy Springs.

Palm Desert's Neeco "The Rooster" Macias (3-0, 1 KO) is an action fighter who loves to scrap when the bell rings. In February, the southpaw won his third professional fight, decisioning Victor Altamirano in four rounds, the same length of his junior middleweight bout this April.

"Night of the Heavyweights" will live up to its name as the night will with two more heavyweight showdowns. In a heavyweight bout scheduled for six rounds, Van Nuys' Michael Hunter (3-0, 3 KOs) will be seeking yet another knockout when he faces Jackson, Tennessee's Rodrigo Ray (5-6-1, 2 KOs), and in the opener scheduled for four rounds in the heavyweight division, St. Louis' Stephan Shaw (2-0, 2 KOs) will look for victory number three.

Opponents for De La Hoya, Guevara, Macias and Hunter will be announced shortly.

"Night Of The Heavyweights" is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and O'Reilly Auto Parts.  The Fantasy Springs Event Center doors open at 4:00 p.m. PTand the first fight starts at 5:00 p.m. PT.  The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45, are on sale now at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com or www.FOXSports.com follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @breazealeboxing, and follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @Swanson_Comm. For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1 and become a follower on Twitter at @FOXSports @FOXSports1 and @FOXSportsPR.